A comparison of antibody responses to Admune inactivated influenza vaccine in serum and respiratory secretions of healthy non-smokers, healthy cigarette-smokers and patients with chronic bronchitis.

Admune inactivated influenza vaccine was administered intramuscularly to 31 healthy subjects (18 non-smokers and 13 cigarette smokers) and 30 patients with chronic bronchitis. Homologous haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titres were measured in serum and respiratory secretions over a three-month post-vaccination period. Clinical reactions to the vaccine were recorded during the week following vaccination. Among healthy subjects cigarette smoking did not influence HI antibody responses in serum and nasal secretion following vaccination. Chronic bronchitics produced at least as much serum and nasal antibody as healthy subjects and their sputum and nasal secretion antibody responses were comparable. Clinical reactions to the vaccine were mild and well tolerated in all groups but seven patients with chronic bronchitis (23%) experienced increased respiratory symptoms during the week following vaccination.